The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson, Book 1

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive. This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.

The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus, Book 1

Penguin presents this downloadable audiobook edition, of the number one, bestselling title in this new spin-off series from Percy Jackson creator, Rick Riordan. Old Enemies awaken as Camp Half-Blood's new arrivals prepare for war. When Jason, Piper and Leo crash land at Camp Half-Blood, they have no idea what to expect. Apparently this is the only safe place for children of the Greek Gods - despite the monsters roaming the woods and demigods practising archery with flaming arrows and explosives.

The Hidden Oracle: The Trials of Apollo, Book One

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of The Hidden Oracle: The Trials of Apollo, Book One, by Rick Riordan, read by Robbie Daymond. How do you punish an immortal? By making him human. After angering his father, Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy.

The Red Pyramid: The Kane Chronicles, Book 1

Since his mother’s death six years ago, Carter Kane has been living out of a suitcase, traveling the globe with his father, the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane. But while Carter’s been homeschooled, his younger sister, Sadie, has been living with their grandparents in London. Sadie has just what Carter wants — school friends and a chance at a “normal” life.

Magnus Chase and the Sword of Summer: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book One

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits. One day he's tracked down by an uncle he's never met - who tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

Heroes, Gods and Monsters of the Greek Myths: One of the Best-selling Mythology Books of All Time

Having sold millions of copies in print, Bernard Evslin’s classic retelling of the Greek myths captures the excitement and enchantment of these stories that have influenced many of today’s popular films and novels. Easy to understand and fun to read for both adults and children, it is no wonder this book has been taught in schools all over the world.

The Iron Trial: Book One of The Magisterium

Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail. All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Bad Beginning, A Multi-Voice Recording: A Series of Unfortunate Events #1

Like a car alarm, bagpipe music, or a doorbell ringing in the middle of the night, hearing this all-new audio edition of The Bad Beginning will only upset you. This unique multi-voice recording brings the first book in Lemony Snicket's alarming A Series of Unfortunate Events to such terrible life that no one should really have to experience it.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Chronicles of Narnia

Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor's mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don't believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch.

The Hunger Games

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1

Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

Artemis Fowl: Artemis Fowl, Book 1

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genuis, and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories, they're dangerous! Full of unexpected twists and turns, Artemis Fowl is a riveting, magical adventure.

Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Prequel

Twenty years ago all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon and made to live in virtual imprisonment on the Isle of the Lost. The island is surrounded by a magical force field that keeps the villains and their descendants safely locked up and away from the mainland. Life on the island is dark and dreary. It is a dirty, decrepit place left to rot and forgotten by the world.

Fablehaven, Book 1

For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite... Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Read by Eddie Redmayne

A set textbook at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since publication, Newt Scamander's masterpiece has entertained wizarding families through the generations. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an indispensable introduction to the magical beasts of the wizarding world. Scamander's years of travel and research have created a tome of unparalleled importance.

The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book 4; Origin)

The prequel to the New York Times best-selling Maze Runner series. Before WICKED was formed, before the Glade was built, before Thomas entered the Maze, sun flares hit the Earth, and mankind fell to disease. Mark and Trina were there when it happened, and they survived. But surviving the sun flares was easy compared to what came next. Now a disease of rage and lunacy races across the eastern United States, and there's something suspicious about its origin. Worse yet, it's mutating, and all evidence suggests that it will bring humanity to its knees.

The Once and Future King

The complete "box set" of T. H. White's epic fantasy novel of the Arthurian legend. The novel is made up of five parts: "The Sword in the Stone", "The Witch in the Wood", "The Ill-Made Knight", "The Candle in the Wind", and "The Book of Merlyn".

Wonder

Wonder is the funny, sweet and incredibly moving story of Auggie Pullman. Born with a terrible facial abnormality, this shy, bright ten-year-old has been home-schooled by his parents for his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the stares and cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, Auggie is being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. The thing is, Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face.

Publisher's Summary

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of victory are grim. Kronos's army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan's power only grows.

While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it's up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.

In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy's 16th birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

10 y.o. boy (ADD and dyslexic) started audio books as companions to hardcopy books (teacher recommendation) and it was a huge success. The Percy Jackson series absolutely turned him from "I hate reading" to a boy who is now told to "please put the book DOWN and EAT!!".<br/><br/>Mom: Loaded this book onto the iPad and played it on longer drives. VERY well presented, fascinating story, and has spawned a whole family interest in the series, and a small research project (for the kids) into greek myths.<br/><br/><br/>Of the 5 Percy books, this is the one that turned a corner for our son. Family demanded we only listen to it TOGETHER, so Alex began reading the hardcopy on his own - sneaking it into bed with a flashlight. Happy, happy Mom!! Prior to this book, it was actually easier to pull teeth than get him to read (ask our dentist).

What made the experience of listening to The Last Olympian: Percy Jackson, Book 5 the most enjoyable?

In an audiobook, more than the story, the narrator has to tell it well.<br/>In the old days, story tellers used to wander between villages with stories of Heroes and Gods.<br/>They were legend. Their narration was SO good that it has followed us down the ages.<br/>To me, Jesse Bernstein represents the very few of those dying breed. The other being Ray Porter.<br/>He truly likes Percy Jackson and you could see the characters leaping off the book into your car.<br/>Guido, Blackjack, Tyson, Annabeth and Hades: To me they are as real as the NY Subway or the traffic in Chennai.<br/>

What did you like best about this story?

The Narration. Duh !

Have you listened to any of Jesse Bernstein’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

ALL of his Percy Jackon books. Each one is extremely good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Hades arrives to the Battle.

Any additional comments?

Audible: Please, Please use this narrator well. He's one of the very few Gifted ones. Listen to your customers.

I've listened to every book in this series, and it really grew on me. Both the writer and the narrator improved as the series developed, and the characters and story became more interesting.

As with Harry Potter, Percy Jackson develops through the series from an awkward outcast to a respected hero who must save the world. Based on Greek mythology set in modern day America, Percy and a team of half-blood children of Greek gods (think Hercules) battle Greek monsters and outwit gods and try to understand the motives of gods and titans as the danger escalates with each book. Some of the monsters are simplistic with complicated names, but they get better as it goes along.

"The Last Olympian" is a good end to the series. There are moments to satisfy, moments to sadden, and moments to surprise. All in all a great end to an increasingly great series, and I can't wait for the movies.

Just a couple of comparisons, because they are so obvious. The series is not as well written as Harry Potter or Artemis Fowl, but it gets better with each book (though the fourth book--"The Battle of the Labyrinth"--was my favorite), and it kept both my kids--the oldest of whom was sixteen when hearing this book--engaged. It probably won't catch on with adults the way Harry or Artemis do, but parents probably won't be bored, either.

So that's my review, from the perspective of a parent, in case any are trying to decide on these books for their kids.

My 8 year old grandson and I listened to the entire series - twice! I like the values of friendship, diversity, leadership shared among the male and female characters, My grandson loves the action, and I enjoy the fun of the use of contemporary cultural icons in a whimsical way.

Would you listen to The Last Olympian: Percy Jackson, Book 5 again? Why?

Yes I would listen to it again and maybe I would like it better this time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Olympian: Percy Jackson, Book 5?

The fight sequences were really good and I liked how Percy thought through and came to the decisions that he made.

Have you listened to any of Jesse Bernstein’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listned to all all Jesse Bernstein's narations of the Percy Jackson books and I have enjoyed his performances each time wether or not I have liked the writing.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No I did not.

Any additional comments?

Though I liked the fight sequences of the book I have to say in someways I felt let down by the end of series. I just didn't really like the romance angle of the book despite realising early on that Percy and Annabeth would end up together. Other than that I would encourage anyone to listen to the Percy Jackson and the Olymipians series.<br/><br/>

Let me start by saying I really like the Percy Jackson series overall. It's a fun romp through Greek mythology, and the characters are wonderfully entertaining. I went through the whole series in a relatively short period of time (I was listening to the audiobooks) because I couldn't wait to find out how it all tied together in the end.

Well, plot-wise, everything came together nicely, but I was a bit disappointed in the execution. First of all, I found myself far more interested in the side characters and the antagonist than in Percy himself. At this point in the series, Percy is little more than a lens for the story. He's just too perfect, and everything works out too easily for him. I would have been far more interested in seeing Grover's POV, or Annabeth's, or Nico's, or especially Luke's, since he takes on a Darth Vader type of role (hero turned evil with someone trying to redeem him). I've never really cared much for Rachel Elizabeth Dare (why must Percy always say her whole name?), and most of the other campers seem like throwaway characters there to pad the ranks.

About 90% of the book consists of either battle scenes or dreams/visions, in which Percy gets glimpses into the lives and pasts of the people around him. Luke's backstory was probably the most interesting, since he's the series antagonist. I also liked learning more about Nico, who is a bit of a wildcard. The battle scenes, however, bored me. That's probably just because of my personal tastes--I tend to get bored when one particular fight drags on too long. In this case, a great bulk of the book is spent defending Olympus from the titans, which bored me because, let's face it, Percy was never going to lose, and the twists weren't all that interesting (it was always like "okay, did he kill the monster yet" and never like, "oh no, how is he going to get out of this one?")

Maybe it's just because by the time I reach the end of a series, I've built up major expectations that the author can't live up to, but this conclusion felt a bit flat. I had plenty of fun with Percy, but I won't be returning to Camp Half Blood for the Heroes of Olympus series.

Mr. Riordan, so long, and thanks for all the fish!

P.S. Even Jesse Bernstein seemed a bit worn out by this book. In his desperation to give all million and one characters different voices, he gave them all weird random accents and reduced Persephone's voice to a choked whisper.